Loyola receives $2 million gift from Mary Hyman and The Sigmund M. Hyman Foundation to create sciences and education scholarships

September 14, 2016 | By Stephanie WeaverMary Hyman

Loyola University Maryland has received a $2 million planned gift from Mary Hyman, former coordinator of science education programs and the Institute for Child Care Education with Loyola University Maryland’s School of Education, to create endowed scholarships in education and the sciences for undergraduate and graduate students.

The gift is funded by The Hyman Foundation named for Hyman’s husband, Sigmund, who died in 2002. Four scholarships will be established with assets bequeathed to Loyola from The Sigmund M. Hyman Foundation upon Mary Hyman’s death. This is the largest bequest from an employee in Loyola’s history.

“Loyola has been an important part of my life for 26 years, and it has been a joy to interact with so many dedicated people at the University. I don’t think I could have worked for a better place,” Hyman said. “It is also heartwarming to hear alumni and others speak highly of Loyola out in the larger community. The striving for academic excellence and the concern for individuals is apparent in many facets of Loyola’s achievements.”

The gift will be divided into four scholarships for undergraduates, graduates, and research opportunities.

The first $1 million will endow The Mary B. and Sigmund M. Hyman Scholarship Fund, with scholarships given each year to students majoring in the natural and applied sciences.

The next $200,000 of the gift will endow The Sigmund M. and Mary B. Hyman Fellowship Fund. The fund will award a fellowship annually to a graduate student in the School of Education whose concentration is a Master of Arts in Teaching. Preference will be given to those pursuing a secondary science teaching degree.

The Sigmund M. and Mary B. Hyman Fund in the Natural and Applied Sciences will be founded using 50 percent of the balance of the gift. These scholarships will be awarded annually to academically talented students pursuing degrees in the natural and applied sciences.

The remaining balance of the gift will create The Sigmund M. and Mary B. Hyman Summer Fellows Fund. This fund will support summer research opportunities for students in the Natural and Applied Sciences.

More details on scholarship opportunities through these new endowed funds will be available at a later date.

With Hyman’s gift included in Loyola’s $100 million Bright Minds, Bold Hearts comprehensive campaign for strategic academic, service, and experiential programs and initiatives at the University, the total raised to date is more than $72 million.

“I am extraordinarily grateful to Mary for generously supporting Loyola and for her service as an influential, collaborative member of our community for nearly a generation,” said Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., vice president for advancement. “She and The Hyman Foundation are making a significant financial commitment to academic areas that are increasingly valuable to our world, further positioning Loyola as a Jesuit university of distinction for exceptional students aspiring to leadership roles in tremendously competitive fields.”

Hyman was in the same role at Loyola for 26 years until her retirement in August 2016. Prior to Loyola, Hyman worked at the Maryland Science Center for 20 years. Her interest in science started in high school during biology class, and continued in college studies through physics and animal science courses. She hopes her gift will attract more talented science students to Loyola.

Hyman received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Goucher College and a M.S. in adult education from Johns Hopkins University. She currently serves on the Baltimore Museum of Art board, Maryland Science Center Scientific and Educational Council, The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, Goucher College Board of Trustees, and The Franklin and Marshall Advisory Board.

Hyman lives in Stevenson, Md.

Media Relations Contact

If you are a member of the media and have questions about this story, please contact Stephanie Weaver at sweaver@loyola.edu.